as in escape
the act or an instance of getting free from danger or confinement
the prisoners were recaptured after only three days on the lam
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to escape
to get free from a dangerous or confining situation
let's lam out of this hellhole while there's still time
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lam
John Annese, New York Daily News, 14 Aug. 2025
Paul Brightman lives on the lam while evading Russian operatives.
—Lizz Schumer, People.com, 18 Jan. 2025
Andrew Lawrence, Peoplemag, 17 Feb. 2024
One of those classic films that’s as good as its reputation (and maybe even better), Billy Wilder’s high-spirited comedy stars Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon as jazz musicians who have to lam it after witnessing a mob crime.
—Keith Phipps, Rolling Stone, 1 May 2023
See All Example Sentences for lam
Noun
Alvi Limani, 20, ditched the scene of the deadly New Jersey crash on June 25 and left one of his passengers to die, then went on the lam for 2½ weeks, prosecutors allege.
—John Annese, New York Daily News, 14 Aug. 2025
Paul Brightman lives on the lam while evading Russian operatives.
—Lizz Schumer, People.com, 18 Jan. 2025
Verb
No studio would finance the feature, about a whorehouse exhibitionist who lams it after being framed for murder — so director Melvin Van Peebles financed it himself with a boost from Bill Cosby, who gave him a $50,000 loan.
—Andrew Lawrence, Peoplemag, 17 Feb. 2024
One of those classic films that’s as good as its reputation (and maybe even better), Billy Wilder’s high-spirited comedy stars Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon as jazz musicians who have to lam it after witnessing a mob crime.
—Keith Phipps, Rolling Stone, 1 May 2023
See All Example Sentences for lam
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lam
Noun
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The verticality also plays with audience expectations about escape and survival.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
16 May 2026
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Now, New Yorkers and Philadelphians looking for a city escape are also joining the guest pool.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 May 2026
Verb
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That night, both the President and his wife periodically fled upstairs to check on their most beloved son, the eleven-year-old Willie, sick with a fever that would kill him two weeks later.—
Thomas Mallon,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
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Prosecutors said that bystanders dialed 911 during the attack, but McHenry fled the scene, the outlet reported.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
18 May 2026
Verb
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The little girl was holding her mom’s hand when the bullets started flying outside the Southern Blvd.—
Kerry Burke,
New York Daily News,
14 May 2026
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For now, though, SLS is the only rocket powerful enough and certified to fly Orion to the moon.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lam.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lam. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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